NHL Wraparound Podcast
Breadth and depth. Contemporary and historical. Straight-forward and experienced. The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League. Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed. Bio’s Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years. Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings. Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager. A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL. After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003. His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
Episodes
14 years ago, the Buffalo Sabres qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Lindy Ruff behind their bench. Fourteen years and six head coaches later, Ruff was tabbed again last year to try to recapture some post-season magic in Buffalo. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone exactly to plan.
Another slow start punctuated by lack of offense has quickly tested the patience of the fans in Western New York. Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrin...
The first week of the 2025-26 season is complete. Teams have played an average of three games apiece. Entering Tuesday only Buffalo, the N.Y. Islanders and San Jose are winless but each has a very different feel to it.
We bounce around to some other league happenings, some major injury news in Ottawa and a nice, new contract for last year's Calder Trophy winner.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NY...
Professional hockey has a long lineage of families who have had a prominent impact on the game. From the Staal's and Sutter's to the Hull's and Bentley's and beyond, each has left it's mark.
However, if one is looking for the true first family of hockey, you'd have to go back well over a century to the name Patrick...one which continues to influence hockey today.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:53] - Neil's and Craig's first meeting.
[02:58] - R...
Twenty-one games in the books as the new season is underway. Plenty of coverage including contract extensions, debuts in new places and observations as all 32 teams have emerged from the starting blocks.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYC...
After some shenanigans in Ottawa and the Sunshine State to wrap up the pre-season, the Tuesday openers can't get here fast enough.
Vic and Neil look at those three games, coaches debuting with new teams and dates major free agents kick off their respective seasons.
And, it's never too late to look ahead to the 2026 Entry Draft where the projected number one pick is already making an impression...and a former number one overall has si...
Ready for another round? The new season is at our doorstep and, with it, comes our season preview show with long-time Canadian commentator and host of The Sheet Podcast, Jeff Marek.
We'll be talking the new era of money as it pertains to player contacts and free agency, new faces behind the bench and who may be on the hot seat, plus players and teams to look out for as the Florida Panthers look to three-peat despite having to deal...
The NHL has a long history of players who have made their mark as open-ice hitters, perhaps none who delivered more punishment than Scott Stevens.
The 2007 Hall of Fame inductee joins Neil and Vic to talk playing style, leadership and captaincy and winning three Stanley Cups in New Jersey under three different head coaches.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:44] - Neil opens about one of his pet peeves: a player having to answer for delivering a bi...
A major contract extension and it's potential ripple effect. Some major injury updates starting with the defending Stanley Cup champions and while one goalie says says farewell, another veteran netminder is looking to hook on with his original team.
The 2025-26 regular season is just a week away and we have the latest.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...
The third installment of the Hall of Fame Edition is a man synonymous with the Winged Wheel logo. Steve Yzerman's entire playing career was spent in the Motor City with the transition to management taking place nearly two decades ago.
Steve stops by for a chat with Vic and Neil and we cover the entire spectrum for youth to his playing career to the rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche to life as a hockey executive.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[0...
The envy of the NHL for the first half of last decade, the Chicago Blackhawks have come upon difficult times since winning their last Stanley Cup in 2015. The road back to respectability has been slow and frustrating for fans in the Windy City.
While a bit more patience may be in order, there's reason for optimism as Jeff Blashill begins a new era behind the Blackhawks bench bringing with him a reputation for developing players wit...
Following the passing of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren re-release the podcast which first aired in May 2024 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first Stanley Cup victory in 1974. This unforgettable conversation featured Parent, cornerstone of the Cup-winning team, and Jay Snider, son of Flyers’ founder Ed Snider and form...
As training camps get underway, news around the NHL is beginning to pick up. Vic and Neil go over several areas of interest including the McDavid/Kaprizov drama, a new captain in the Big Apple and several other player news. Also, some familiar names will be behind the bench for the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https...
One of only 48 men to have reached the 500-goal mark in NHL history. The second installment of the "NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition" welcomes 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Pierre Turgeon.
In this discussion, Neil and Vic hit on numerous topics from Turgeon's junior hockey days in Granby to his Little League World Series appearance in 1982 to the Dale Hunter hit 11 years later to being the last Montreal Canadiens captain to leave M...
Some significant league news heading into the weekend so a good time dust off Short Shifts. Vic and Neil will talk about the five World Junior players from team Canada in 2018 that were acquitted on sexual misconduct charges in July and will now have the opportunity to resume their NHL careers.
The contract saga of Minnesota star Kirill Kaprizov will be discussed along with some goaltending news and dates to mark on your 2025-26 ho...
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their sights to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a franchise with sky-high expectations and one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports.
Despite finishing first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, the Leafs fell in seven games to Florida—with especially disappointing efforts in Games 5 and 7. And this offseason, the biggest domino fell...
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the nation's capital to break down the Washington Capitals, a team coming off a quietly dominant 2024–25 regular season... and a playoff run that ended just as quietly.
Washington finished with 111 points, 1st in the Metro, and 2nd overall in the NHL—yet fizzled in the second round against Carolina after dispatching Montreal in five games. But with n...
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the Winnipeg Jets, who entered 2025 as the surprise Presidents’ Trophy winners—only to fall in the second round of the playoffs.
After a miraculous comeback in Game 7 vs. St. Louis, the Jets were grounded by the Dallas Stars—and the split personality home/road record (6–1 at home, 0–6 on the road) told the story.
Now, with Nikolaj Ehlers gone, Connor ...
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the desert to break down the Vegas Golden Knights, a team still in win-now mode—and not afraid to prove it
Coming off a 110-point season and a second-round loss to Edmonton, Vegas pulled off the biggest move of the offseason, acquiring Mitch Marner from Toronto and signing him to an 8-year, $12M AAV deal. The message? The Golden Knights are all-in ag...
In this episode of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team loaded with offensive firepower—but still struggling to get out of the first round of the playoffs.
Despite finishing second in the Atlantic and ranking #1 in league scoring, the Lightning were eliminated in the first round by the Panthers for the third consecutive season. With John Cooper entering his 14th season...
In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the rollercoaster that is the Vancouver Canucks. Coming off a season filled with locker room drama, failed expectations, and big-name regression, the Canucks hit reset under first-year head coach Adam Foote.
After missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, Vancouver aims to rediscover the promise shown during their 2024 second-round play...
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